Wallace - the Monument

When the Question of creating a national monument to the achievement of William Wallace was first discussed in the early 1800's, it seemed that it was destined to be built in Edinburgh, the capital city.

However Glasgow strongly contended the right, and plans were made to erect it on Glasgow Green, which had the first monument to Lord Nelson (1806). Many other Scottish towns discussed the proposal, but after due deliberation, it was decided that only Stirling could be home to the National Wallace Monument.

The decision to build the National Wallace Monument was taken at a great meeting in the Kings Park of Stirling in 1856, and it was agreed that a Gothic tower on the Abbey Craig, designed by John T Rochead and overlooking the site of Wallace's victory was the best option.

The foundation stone was laid on Bannockburn day 1861, and the completed monument was handed over to the Custodians on 11th September 1869 on the 572nd anniversary of Wallace's famous victory at the Battle of Stirling Bridge.

Money was collected from Scots world-wide for the project, which in turn inspired the setting up of the Wallace statues in Baltimore in the United States and Ballaret in Australian goldfields.

Visit the Monument

Completed in 1869 after eight years' construction, the 220 feet high Wallace Monument sits prominently on the Abbey Craig two miles north of the city of Stirling itself. It was from this prominent hilltop in 1297 that William Wallace watched the English army approach across Stirling Bridge before leading the Scots into the battle of the same name: and victory. A fitting, and striking, location for the national monument to a national hero.

Visitors to the Wallace Monument leave their cars at the foot of Abbey Craig, which they then climb to reach the foot of the monument. A minibus service is also available from the Pavilion Visitor Centre next to the car park.

In the entrance foyer of the Monument itself there is a display about Sir William Wallace and about the construction of the Monument. If you pause here you learn that it cost in excess of £10,000: all funded by subscriptions.

But you will probably want to head straight for the magnificent views awaiting at the top of the Monument, a mere 220 feet and 246 steps above you. The Monument has four floors above the ground floor, with 4 being The Crown or the top.

1st Floor -Battle of Stirling Bridge

The first 71 steps up to Floor 1 bring you to a display telling the story of the life of Wallace and of the Battle of Stirling Bridge. Here the highlight is a 3-D simulation in which Wallace appears at his trial at Westminster Hall, telling his own story via the 'William Wallace Talking Head'.

Also on display is what is said to be the 700 year old Wallace sword, some 5 feet 4 inches long. Coming face to face with such a magnificent piece of metalwork you wonder how anyone could have lifted or carried it, still less fought with it.

2nd Floor - Hall of Heroes

64 more steps will bring you to Floor 2 and the Hall of Heroes. Here are displayed marble statues of notable Scotsmen, the result of a worldwide appeal by the custodians in 1885. An audio-visual display pays tribute to the heroes and heroines of the twentieth century.

3rd Floor - The Diorama

62 steps further lead to Floor 3 and the Diorama, an illustration of the geographical layout surrounding the monument marked with important local landmarks and various historical battlefields. This is an excellent way to gain your bearings.

4th Floor the top -The Crown

The final pull leads to The Crown of the Monument with its breathtaking views bringing the Diorama to life and making every one of those 246 steps worthwhile.

The Ochils

To the north you are immediately struck by the closest of the Ochil Hills, Dumyat. East is the Forth Valley, with the river itself snaking away into the distance.

The Castle

To the south is the historic city of Stirling, dominated by its Castle. To the west are the Trossachs and Loch Lomond and, on a clear day, a far-reaching panorama of many of the southern highlands' most striking mountains.

Spiral Staircase

Returning down the narrow spiral staircase to the ground level visitors can browse the Gift Shop or drop into the Victorian Tea-Room before descending the Abbey Craig on foot or by minibus to the car park.

Visitor Information:

3km north of Stirling. Parking is available at the base of the Abbey Craig adjacent to the Pavilion Visitor Centre.

Contact: - Tel: 01786 472140.

Opening hours:

The Monument is open all year seven days a week except Christmas Day and Boxing Day. Opening hours are: January to February and November to December 10.30am to 4.00pm; March to May and October 10.00am to 5.00pm; June 10.00am to 6.00pm; July and August 9.30am to 6.30pm; and September 9.30am to 5.00pm.